The 2016 musical comedy “La La Land” about dreamers and goal-setters in Los Angeles was a welcome departure from the smashing, crashing, and explosions featured in most of the year’s films.
Of course, there are always the more artistic films that are made each year like “Moonlight” and “Manchester by the Sea,” which were both thought provoking and distinctive in their themes. The vast majority of films are adaptations of novels or comic books and go for the “wow factor.” While everyone can enjoy watching a nice comedy or seeing their favorite novels and comic book characters come to life, film has suddenly lost its value as a form of expression.
“La La Land” won seven awards at the 2017 Golden Globes, and that is just the beginning of its potential success. In addition to the obvious critical acclaim, those who have seen it cannot stop talking about how fun and exciting it is.
I couldn’t get my friends to see the movie with me because it was so different in music and style. Even its trailer is distinct in the fact that Ryan Gosling sings the film’s signature song “City of Stars” without any context. It is mesmerizing and perplexing all at once. I thought to myself: “I must see this!”
While watching, not only did the film make me nostalgic for 1950s films like “Singin’ in the Rain,” “An American in Paris” and “Funny Face,” but “La La Land” also made me think of the things that it was based on: pursuing your dreams at all costs and becoming the person you want to be.
It is interesting and somewhat disheartening to the Ryan Gosling/Emma Stone lovers that the characters don’t end up the way a typical romance would. The film is realistic in showing that love and finding your way in life are messy.
Stone performs in a convincing and relatable way. She is a struggling actress who makes it known that she doesn’t have time to swoon over a guy. Gosling delivers a performance that is reminiscent of old Hollywood. He is wholesome, weird enough to be charming and honest in his role. He was the perfect person to play the character.
Filmmakers and screenwriters should take notes on what director Damien Chazelle created for the world. He took something he knew about and created a wonderfully relatable story that others didn’t think would sell.
The thing is, it has sold. It has sold in massive numbers, and has won the approval of many people because it tells a story. It is visual art that merges all forms of performance into one colorful piece that commands attention.
In fact, it grossed an estimated $9.7 million on its limited opening weekend, despite only showing at 733 theaters nationwide.
Money aside, Gosling and Stone were able to showcase their other modes of performance through song, dance and acting. Having films like this offers a fresh look into our evolving culture.
Tap into your inner movie buff and explore a fun depiction of humanity in “La La Land.”
Myia Hambrick is a 21-year-old mass communication junior from Temple, Georgia.